Module LANG41215: SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: PERSPECTIVES FOR TEACHERS

Department: English Language Centre

LANG41215: SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: PERSPECTIVES FOR TEACHERS

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• At the end of the module, students will:
• have full working knowledge of current mainstream linguistic theories
• have full understanding of the influence of linguistic theory on language teaching/learning
• be able to critically evaluate new proposals in linguistic theory in terms of their applicability to language teaching
• be able to apply relevant methods of enquiry to investigate issues in language teaching within the framework of current linguistic theory

Content

• In this module we will consider how insights from second language acquisition (SLA) theory and research might inform classroom language teaching practice. The module begins with the traditional, cognitivist view of SLA and then moves to more recent sociocultural and emergentist perspectives. Themes that weave throughout the term will include the influence and value (or not) of a student's first language, the place of grammar teaching, errors (and how we might deal with them) and student interaction. Towards the end of the module, we explore briefly an embodied view of language and the notion of conceptual fluency. We use these to revisit and rethink aspects of communicative language teaching.

Learning Outcomes

• Full understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in language acquisition and language learning
• Understanding of current approaches to language teaching as they relate to different approaches to language analysis
• Knowledge of the differences between different approaches to language analysis
• Understanding of the theoretical foundation underlying the debate between applied linguistics and linguistics applied

• To be able to critically assess the historical relationship between theory and practice
• To assess the merits of the most influential linguistic theories that currently exist, including both generative linguistics and more functional cognitive approaches
• Mastery of skills in critical teaching, drawing on current theory where possible

• Ability to read and understand primary texts
• Ability to connect theoretical issues to an applied context

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will introduce students to a range of linguistic theories and the issues in language teaching/learning that arise from them, such that students will have a good command of relevant theoretical background and be able to apply this knowledge to actual or envisaged teaching practice
• Seminars will provide a forum for discussion, structured around weekly readings
• Tutorials will provide support for the course assessment so that the student adequately demonstrates an ability to research and organise complex material

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University